Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Sunday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 4th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A weakening warm front will gradually bring low cloud to western hills of NW England and Wales. Blustery N England. In Scotland, widespread gales; in the NW & W Highlands, heavy rain and fog, but only occasional rain eastern and southern Scottish mountains.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Persistent upland gales. Rain and fog - mainly near/west of A9.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly, increasing markedly with height to 50mph or on Cairngorm plateau 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Severe wind chill and walking extensively difficult. General mobility may be a challenge in places.
How Wet?
Occasional drizzly rain, mainly W of A9.
West of A9 and on summits in southern Cairngorms NP accessed from the A9, frequent and sometimes heavy. rain throughout the day. Only occasional rain elsewhere; little if any east of Braemar.
Cloud on the hills?
Foggy across nearly all mountains all day
Persistent low cloud soon forming across most mountains, typically above 600 to 750m west of A9 and southern summits in Cairngorms NP. Elsewhere, cloud base tending to drop to 900 to 1050m though little if any near and east of Braemar.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10% by late morning
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few pockets of sunshine lower slopes particularly east of A9, possibly widely Deeside. Very good visibility
How Cold? (at 900m)
10C. Will feel as cold as minus 6C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 5th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly typically 40mph, but where exposed on higher summits sometimes 55mph. Sudden gusts some lower slopes.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult walking where exposed: balance strenuous in sudden gusts (some reaching lower slopes), and significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional rain, mainly W of A9
Rain on and off or frequent west of A9 and southern summits in Cairngorms NP, but only rarely if any reaching E & N Cairngorms NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent fog higher areas.
Persistent fog above 500 to 750m most of region, although cloud base a little higher Monadhliath. Highest cloud base likely to be Deeside and northernmost Cairngorms where typically 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensively cloudy and hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C. Feeling like minus 5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 6th October 2026
Last updated
Sat 3rd Oct 26 at
1:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West or northwesterly between 20 and 25mph, perhaps 30mph for a few hours Cairngorm plateau.
Effect of the wind on you?
Marked wind chill in much colder air. Likely to impede ease of walking higher up, particularly near showers.
How Wet?
increasing risk snow and hail showers
Occasional probably brief hail and snow showers, mainly afternoon. A dusting of snow lying above 1100m.
Cloud on the hills?
Frequently covering higher slopes; forming lower down near precipitation.
Near showers, shafts of cloud below 600m. Otherwise cloud base by late morning 900 to occasionally 1150m (highest base generally southern Cairngorms west to Ben Alder).
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sunshine, most sun southern Cairngorms NP. Mostly excellent visibility, but temporarily poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C, but will feel as cold as minus 5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Rain at some stage more or less daily on most mountain areas through the coming week. However, total rainfall small, and frequently dry E & S Wales and S Pennines. Frequently windy Scottish Highlands, whilst progressively southwards, periods of strong winds will less frequent. A brief period of colder less windy weather around the middle of next week brings snow showers to some northern mountains.